The Fabled Hare (A 3D Printed Ball-jointed Doll)

"A hare is not a pet but a person. Hares are clever and brave and loving, and they have fairy blood in them. It’s a grand thing to have a hare for a friend. One doesn’t often, because they have a lot of dignity and keep themselves to themselves; not like rabbits, who are always underfoot; but if you do win the love of a hare — well — it’s a fine thing for you . . . And you’ve done it."

(taken from "The Little White Horse" by Elizabeth Goodge)

Hares are beautiful, mysterious creatures and are found in mythologies all over the world. The hare is a loyal companion to the gods or sometimes a goddess herself. A symbol of swiftness, they are able messengers, they represent fertility and life, indeed the last corn of the harvest was called a hare and of course, hares have always been tied to the Moon, with their shape forever in its shadows. Legend also says hares have an affinity with fire, leaping from and into burning fields unscathed and this image has carried to modern literature:

"The hare runs into the fire.
The hare runs into the fire.
The fire, it takes her, she is not burned.
The fire, it takes her, she is not burned.
The hare runs into the fire.
The fire, it loves her, she is free . . ."

(taken from "I shall wear Midnight" by Terry Pratchett)

Some thought the hare to be a shape shifter and a favored form of witches. Isobel Gowdie who was accused of witchcraft in the 17th century, claimed she could become a hare by chanting the following words

"I sall goe intill ane haire
With sorrow and sych and meikle care
And I sale goe in the Divells name
Ay whill come hom again"

Of course, all of this is superstition born out of people misunderstanding the hare's natural habits. The song "The Fabled Hare"by Maddy Priorbeautifully explains the mystical human perception of the hare and the creature's reality. I first heard it many years ago as it was written specially for a BBC nature documentary called "The Shadow of the Hare". It's also where my model takes its name from.

You can listen to the song here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxb1u2rKpvc

My personal fascination with hares started when I borrowed a copy of Kit William's Masquerade from my local library. It was the early 80's and I was 7 or 8. I marveled at the art and the beautiful golden hare crafted by Williams, both made a huge impression on me and still influence my work today. Recently, I decided wanted my own hare but for it to be more than a picture or a static sculpture, something that I could interact with and that would incorporate an array of my design skills. Of course my love of the clockwork driven automatons from past centuries can be seen in the styling. Maybe also this hare would feel at home in places like Wonderland or Oz?

The Fabled Hare is a ball jointed doll (also known as a BJD) and strung together with elastic cord. It has a face plate which is attached by magnets and removable. All feedback (especially from ball jointed doll makers and owners) is most welcome.

This doll isn't jeweled, made of gold or magical but I hope it is something people will enjoy.

Build instructions are to be found on Instructables:

https://www.instructables.com/id/The-Fabled-Hare-a-3D-Printable-Ball-jointed-Doll